Rates relief extended in Northern Ireland
Larger forecourts in Northern Ireland will now be eligible for Covid-19 business rates relief after the assembly confirmed the support measures would be extended from shops up to 300sqm to 500sqm.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), said: “We are extremely pleased that following constructive discussions, the Northern Ireland assembly has confirmed that their Covid-19 business rates relief has now been extended.”
Originally, the larger stores would have benefited from only four months of rates relief, but the PRA argued with the Northern Ireland Land and Property Services that the cut-off should be set at 500sqm.
The PRA claimed the initial proposal was “ill-thought-out” as it would have penalised many, often family-owned and run petrol station operators.
Madderson continued: “We are much encouraged that Land and Property Services took on board our views and revised their initial proposal in a way that will ensure that all forecourt shops are treated fairly.”
